MIRAI Design District Breaks Ground in Miami Ahead of 2028 Opening
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Miami’s Design District is preparing for a new architectural landmark. MIRAI Design District, a mixed-use project by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, has officially begun construction along Northeast Second Avenue and is now expected to open in 2028.
The development represents the first mixed-use project in the United States by Kengo Kuma and Associates. Its name comes from the Japanese word for “distant future,” reflecting a concept built around forward-looking design without losing sight of nature, craft, and human scale.
MIRAI is being developed by Leviathan Development, Lionheart Capital, WellDuo, and The Lane Organization. Construction moved forward in June 2026 after the team secured an $85 million loan from Monroe Capital. The project was originally scheduled to break ground in 2024 and reach completion by the end of 2025, but design revisions, the entitlement process, and tenant negotiations extended the timeline.
A New Kind of Design District Destination
Planned as a three-story building of approximately 65,000 square feet, MIRAI will combine boutique office environments with ground-floor retail, restaurants, and hospitality concepts. Around 41,000 square feet will be dedicated to Class A office space, while approximately 16,000 square feet will serve public-facing businesses. A separate 2,000-square-foot structure will function as a sculptural focal point within the property.
Rather than creating a conventional commercial complex, the developers are positioning MIRAI as a collection of smaller experiences. Flexible spaces will allow retailers and office tenants to shape interiors around their individual identities. The offices are intended for family offices, investment firms, and design-focused companies seeking a more intimate alternative to the larger towers of Brickell or Wynwood.
The tenant mix will favor businesses connected to design and hospitality. Leasing is being approached selectively, with the goal of bringing together brands that contribute to the character of the building instead of simply filling available space. Cultural programming and additional hospitality partnerships are expected to be announced as construction progresses.
One of the first confirmed tenants is Sant Ambroeus. The Milan-born hospitality brand will occupy approximately 5,000 square feet with a full-service restaurant. Designed by Fabrizio Casiraghi, the location is scheduled to open alongside MIRAI in 2028 and will become Sant Ambroeus’ second planned Miami address.
Kengo Kuma’s “Floating Lantern”
Kuma’s design gives the development the appearance of a floating lantern. A transparent ground floor opens the building toward the street, while a layered exterior screening system filters light across the upper levels. The effect is intended to make more like a permeable part of the neighborhood.
At the center, a landscaped garden will create a quieter passage through the property. Greenery will also extend across the building through planted areas and a living rooftop equipped with solar panels. Operable windows and energy-conscious mechanical systems are planned as part of its environmental strategy.
Island Planning Corporation, led by Nathan Browning, is overseeing the landscape architecture. Italian lighting company Viabizzuno is developing a façade lighting program that will allow the building’s appearance to shift after sunset without overpowering the surrounding streetscape.
The project’s placement at the northeastern edge of the Design District is also central to its purpose. Located around 4200 NE Second Avenue, MIRAI will sit between established luxury retail streets and nearby residential areas. It is designed to encourage visitors to move through the property.
It is being conceived as a place to shop, work, dine, and spend time, with architecture shaping how those activities connect. Kuma’s first American mixed-use project is set to offer a more restrained vision of what Miami’s next chapter can look like.